Plant-based biocidal materials and systems

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and a composition for producing and using a plant-based biocidal solution. The plant-based biocidal solution contains a bioactive material and a plant-based substance formed from the cellular material of a plant. The plant-based substance is capable of binding to the bioactive material. In some embodiments, the bioactive material is hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide can be added exogenously or generated endogenously. In accordance with further embodiments, the plant-based biocidal solution can be applied to a target, thereby impairing the target. In some embodiments, the target can be a pathogen. In accordance with another embodiment, the plant-based substance of the plant-based biocidal solution can form a microscopic cluster, a complex, or an aggregate for providing sufficient bioactive material to overcome the defense mechanism of the target.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This Patent Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) of the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 009,484, filed Dec. 28, 2007, and titled “PLANT-BASED BIOCIDAL MATERIALS AND SYSTEMS”. The U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 009,484, filed Dec. 28, 2007, and titled “PLANT-BASED BIOCIDAL MATERIALS AND SYSTEMS” is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to materials and systems that provide a preservative and / or a medicinal effect. More specifically, this invention relates to anti-bacterial, anti-infective, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antibiotic materials and systems that utilize material obtained from plants.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Consumer products and environmental mandates have created a large demand for natural biocides. There are a number of commercial extracts made of plants, notably essential oils, that provide antimicrobial activity. Howev...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention describes a method of creating a biocidal substance using a plant-based substance and a bioactive material. The plant-based substance can be formed from a cellular material of a plant or artificially obtained. The plant-based substance can contain plant-derived materials such as polymers, oligomers, or intact cells. The plant-based substance can also contain other oxidizers or antimicrobals. The plant-based substance can be applied to a target to impair it or provide a beneficial effect to human or animal wound healing. The invention also includes a method of using the plant-based biocidal substance by forming a microscopic cluster or aggregate and applying it to a target to impair it. The technical effects of the invention include improved microbicidal efficiency, a stable source of bioactive material, and the ability to control the concentration and distribution of the bioactive material."

Problems solved by technology

However, all current natural antimicrobials are limited by some combination of low potency, high cost, toxicity, taste, odor and color of the extracted compounds at their minimum effective concentrations.

Synergistic combinations of essential oils have met with some success, but their performance still pales compared to common synthetic biocides.

Effective protective concentrations would be systemically toxic.

These radicals damage the cell walls of pathogens on contact or create a hyperoxygenated environment that the cell cannot tolerate.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can destroy invading microorganisms by denaturing proteins, damaging nucleic acids and causing lipid peroxidation, which breaks down lipids in cell membranes.

It is an excellent broad spectrum antimicrobial, but it is too indiscriminating and volatile for effective use as a product preservative.

Most pathogens are small and more susceptible to ROS damage than plant and animal cells.

Once the pathogen is depleted of ROS degrading molecules, further oxidation can damage the cell membrane, causing cell death.

Commercially processed aloe gels generally lose their antimicrobial activity.

However, it does not teach interaction between components.

Although highly effective antimicrobials, the systems cannot generally be considered natural products and the components must be separately stored or packaged in anaerobic containers to prevent haloperoxidase / peroxide interaction and depletion prior to dispensing for use.

This ability rapidly diminishes with volumetric dilution and consumption of the active solute.

For this reason, application of diffuse free active chemicals in solution is grossly inefficient at killing bacteria and fungi, yet this is predominantly how antimicrobials are formulated into commercial products for topical therapeutics, personal care products, commercial and industrial sanitizers, and sanitation or preservation of food and water.

There are some examples of encapsulation of essential oils for stabilization of fragrance, and commercially available synthetic liposomes for targeted intravenous drug delivery, but there are no commercial examples of ex-vivo generation of unencapsulated plant material complexes for improved antimicrobial efficiency.

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